Heb 5:11 Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.

Heb 5:12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.

Heb 5:13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.

Heb 5:14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Heb 6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

Heb 6:2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

Heb 6:3 And this will we do, if God permit.

Intro: We are not speaking of the danger of being lost again, but the danger of failing to go on to the place of God's perfect will for our lives.

As new Christians, there was a noticeable growth in our life. We experienced:

1. Conversion.. .When we got saved

2. Commitment.. .When we surrendered

3. Consecration.. .When we separated ourselves

4. Convictions … When we began studying

BUT THEN IT IS AS THOUGH WE REACHED A PLATEAU IN OUR CHRISTIAN LIFE AND LEVELED OFF IN OUR GROWTH.

Notice what happened to Israel, who is our example when they got into such condition.

 

I. THE REASON FOR THEIR STOPPING SHORT...

A. They had a HEART PROBLEM...

1. A hardened heart. Heb.3:8

Heb 3:8 Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:

2. An erring heart. Heb.3:1O

Heb 3:10 Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways.

3. An evil heart. Heb. 3:12

Heb 3:12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.

B. They had a HEARING PROBLEM...

1. No fear... Heb. 4:1

Heb 4:1 Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.

2. No faith... Heb 4:2

Heb 4:2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

3. No fruits... Heb 4:2; 5:12

Heb 5:12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.

II. THE RESULTS OF THEIR STOPPING SHORT...

A. Premature Death Spiritually...They wandered, wept & wasted in the wilderness.

1. No rest... Heb 3:11

Heb 3:11 So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.)

2. No return... Heb 3:17

Heb 3:17 But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness?

B. Premature Death Physically... Heb 3:17

1. Their promises unclaimed

2. Their possessions unclaimed

III. THE REMEDY FOR THEIR STOPPING SHORT...

A. There must be Progression... Heb 6:1 "leaving"

Heb 6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

B. There must be Perfection... Heb 6:1 (maturity)

C. There must be Perception... Heb 6:1 "Unto"

D. There must be Participation.. . Heb 6:3 "This will we do..."

Heb 6:3 And this will we do, if God permit.